How the BMW H2R Works

The BMW H2R, which came out in 2004, was the gleaming, high-tech fruit of over 25 years of experimentation and innovation.

In 1979, BMW developed the 520, a prototype vehicle featuring an engine that ran on either hydrogen or gasoline. Building on the potential of the 520, BMW produced and road tested three generations of hydrogen-powered cars from 1984 to 1996 and in 2000 introduced the 5.0-liter V-12 750hL, the company's fifth-generation hydrogen car.

In 2001, BMW produced its sixth-generation hydrogen concept car, the 4.4-liter V-8 745h. It had two fuel tanks -- one for hydrogen and one for gasoline. When running on hydrogen, the 745h generated 182 horsepower, reached 62 miles per hour (100 kph) in 9.9 seconds and had a top speed of 134 mph (216 kph).

In 2004, BMW unveiled the H2R hydrogen-powered concept racecar, which went on to set nine speed records for hydrogen-combustion vehicles at the Miramas Proving Grounds in France.

To learn more about the science of hydrogen as a fuel source, see How the Hydrogen Economy Works. For more information on the H2R and other concept cars, check out the links below.

The BMW H7

In 2006, BMW introduced the world's first hydrogen-powered production vehicle -- the H7. BMW claims that the H7 will offer world-class luxury and performance along with the clean-air benefits of hydrogen technology. When it debuts, the H7 will be available only in select markets.

Because of the present scarcity of hydrogen refueling stations, the H7 will feature a combustion engine that can run on either liquid hydrogen or gasoline. BMW's Double-VANOS and Valvetronic engine technologies will allow the engine to adjust to burning hydrogen/air or gasoline/air fuel mixtures. These sophisticated systems also help prevent nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in the combustion process. NOx emissions contribute to the formation of ozone and acid rain.